SDLC 110 Culture

[Rachel Poplack]

This week, I learned about the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) and how their military works. It is really interesting to think about how the very same principles that have created a draft in Israel have led to a lack of draft in the US. In Israel, their "necessity" for military service is why they have a draft. They need people to serve and for that reason, they have one. But people like to serve - they like the army, support the army and do not have moral opposition to it (for the most part). They understand that their their territory is threatened and they feel a deep need to defend it. I think that this is so fascinating. In the US, we also feel that our borders are threatened - but maybe not in the same way. And, we think that it violates our personal liberties to have a draft. In Israel, I guess less is threatened so they are not as concerned about their personal liberties - they do not have room to be. I don't know. In a political manner, this is just really making me think. It is fascinating to me that some countries can create a draft and some don't. Additionally, in many ways, Israel and the US are the same. They are both very Western (the US really is and Israel is "Westernized"), and these cultures create similar thoughts about issues - usually. However, based on geography and military threat, Israel and the US have developed very different opinions on the military and the draft. Just something to think about. I like this stuff.